CBS Readying Reboot of Hit Series That Ran for Eight Seasons on Another Broadcast Network

A series that ran on broadcast TV for eight seasons, racking up 178 episodes, is in the works as a reboot at CBS, reports Joe Adalian in New York Magazine. The series is the supernatural WB comedy-drama "Charmed," which aired from 1998-2006.

"Details are scant right now, but ‘Party of Five’ co-creator Chris Keyser and partner Sydney Sidner are co-writing the project, which insiders describe as a ‘re-imagining’ of the original series about a sisterhood of witches who use their powers for good. CBS TV Studios, which has the rights to all of the [Aaron] Spelling library, is producing the project alongside the Tannenbaum Company," Adalian writes.

Of course, it’s early in the development process and there’s no guarantee the show will make it to pilot. "CBS has only ordered a script for a pilot, and it hasn’t committed to filming anything," Adalian notes.

The effort comes on the heels of a surge in popularity for horror and fantasy projects, such as AMC’s "The Walking Dead" and FX’s "American Horror Story: Coven," the report notes.

"Charmed," which starred Alyssa Milano, Rose McGowan and Holly Marie Combs, and featured Shannen Doherty during a portion of its run, was one of the most successful series on the WB Network, which is now defunct.

"So, yeah: This seems at least as logical as a ‘Murder, She Wrote’ revival," Adalian writes.

3 Comments

Rights to all Spelling’s productions? How about a reboot of the Robert Stack starrer from the early ’80s called “Strike Force”??? A law enforcement squad culled from the best of the best of police agencies to solve the most grisly crimes … well, maybe not. Had a great brass-and-snare-drum theme song by Dominic Frontiere, though!